Total Number of Reported Crimes Committed For the Year to Date Less Than Same Time Last Year

On Sep 30, 2018

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Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 30, 2018 (RSCNPF): The crime-fighting efforts of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force have seen a number of results in several areas, although some crimes remain a concern and a special focus is being placed on those.

Speaking on Thursday’s edition (September 27) of the “Policing With You” Programme, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) with responsibility for the Crime Directorate, Andre Mitchell, gave an update on crime trends for the year so far. On the programme, he said that to date, the total number of crimes committed this year (2018) is less than the corresponding period last year (2017). Giving an overview of the trends based on data collected by the Police of crimes committed, he noted that homicides had slightly increased as the country continues to grapple with gang- and drug-related activity, as well as domestic violence. However, despite this, he said that non-fatal shootings had decreased.

“The federation has recorded twenty-one (21) homicides so far for the year, fifteen (15) of which are gun-related. The others, for the most part, relate to acts of domestic violence. This trend on homicides represent an increase of three over the corresponding period last year. We have also recorded other serious crimes – non-fatal shootings – which, despite the recent incidents, have shown a decrease over the corresponding period last year,” ACP Mitchell said.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has had several successes in the area of break-ins and larcenies according to ACP Mitchell.

“Robberies…have also declined. Sexual crimes which have reflected significant decline. When I say significant, I want to emphasise this because we’re talking about a sixty percent decrease over the corresponding period last year. And then we have the crimes of dishonesty of the break-ins and larcenies [in] which we have seen increases. As it relates to these crimes of dishonesty…a number of breakers and thieves have been arrested in recent times and now we are witnessing a downward trajectory in the occurrence of these crimes, especially in the Basseterre area,” the Assistant Commissioner of Police explained.

The Police have been carefully following the crime trends to help them plan operations. Working along with other law enforcement and security agencies, operations have led to a number of firearms and ammunition being taken into Police custody and several arrests in many cases. In their relentless pursuit of justice, the Police have divided districts into zones, increased foot and mobile patrols, community walk-throughs, visits to schools and businesses and have been following all leads received from the public in criminal matters.

“Policing With You” airs on ZIZ radio live every Thursday at 9:15 a.m.